Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, Methods Used While Forming Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, And Methods Of Forming Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

ABSTRACT

A method used while forming a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming non-magnetic tunnel insulator material over magnetic electrode material. The tunnel insulator material comprises MgO and the magnetic electrode material comprises Co and Fe. B is proximate opposing facing surfaces of the tunnel insulator material and the magnetic electrode material. B-absorbing material is formed over a sidewall of at least one of the magnetic electrode material and the tunnel insulator material. B is absorbed from proximate the opposing facing surfaces laterally into the B-absorbing material. Other embodiments are disclosed, including magnetic tunnel junctions independent of method of manufacture.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein pertain to magnetic tunnel junctions, to methods used while forming magnetic tunnel junctions, and to methods of forming magnetic tunnel junctions.

BACKGROUND

A magnetic tunnel junction is an integrated circuit component having two conductive magnetic electrodes separated by a thin non-magnetic tunnel insulator material (e.g., dielectric material). The insulator material is sufficiently thin such that electrons can tunnel from one magnetic electrode to the other through the insulator material under appropriate conditions. At least one of the magnetic electrodes can have its overall magnetization direction switched between two states at a normal operating write or erase current/voltage, and is commonly referred to as the “free” or “recording” electrode. The other magnetic electrode is commonly referred to as the “reference”, “fixed”, or “pinned” electrode, and whose overall magnetization direction will not switch upon application of the normal operating write or erase current/voltage. The reference electrode and the recording electrode are electrically coupled to respective conductive nodes. The resistance of current flow between those two nodes through the reference electrode, insulator material, and the recording electrode is dependent upon the overall magnetization direction of the recording electrode relative to that of the reference electrode. Accordingly, a magnetic tunnel junction can be programmed into one of at least two states, and those states can be sensed by measuring current flow through the magnetic tunnel junction. Since magnetic tunnel junctions can be “programmed” between two current-conducting states, they have been proposed for use in memory integrated circuitry. Additionally, magnetic tunnel junctions may be used in logic or other circuitry apart from or in addition to memory.

The overall magnetization direction of the recording electrode can be switched by a current-induced external magnetic field or by using a spin-polarized current to result in a spin-transfer torque (STT) effect. Charge carriers (such as electrons) have a property known as “spin” which is a small quantity of angular momentum intrinsic to the carrier. An electric current is generally unpolarized (having about 50% “spin-up” and about 50% “spin-down” electrons). A spin-polarized current is one with significantly more electrons of either spin. By passing a current through certain magnetic material (sometimes also referred to as polarizer material), one can produce a spin-polarized current. If a spin-polarized current is directed into a magnetic material, spin angular momentum can be transferred to that material, thereby affecting its magnetization orientation. This can be used to excite oscillations or even flip (i.e., switch) the orientation/domain direction of the magnetic material if the spin-polarized current is of sufficient magnitude.

An alloy or other mixture of Co and Fe is one common material proposed for use as a polarizer material and/or as at least part of the magnetic recording material of a recording electrode in a magnetic tunnel junction. A more specific example is Co_(x)Fe_(y)B_(z) where x and y are each 10-80 and z is 0-50, and may be abbreviated as CoFe or CoFeB. MgO is an ideal material for the non-magnetic tunnel insulator. Ideally such materials are each crystalline having a body-centered-cubic (bcc) 001 lattice. Such materials may be deposited using any suitable technique, for example by physical vapor deposition. One technique usable to ultimately produce the bcc 001 lattice in such materials includes initially forming CoFe to be amorphous and upon which MgO-comprising tunnel insulator material is deposited. During and/or after the depositing, the MgO tunnel insulator, the CoFe, and the tunnel insulator ideally individually achieve a uniform bcc 001 lattice structure.

Boron is commonly deposited as part of the CoFe to assure or provide initial amorphous deposition of the CoFe. Crystallization of the CoFe can occur during or after deposition of the MgO by annealing the substrate at a temperature of at least about 350° C. This will induce the diffusion of B atoms out of the CoFe matrix being formed to allow crystallization into bcc 001 CoFe. Bcc 001 MgO acts as a template during the crystallization of CoFe. However, B in the finished magnetic tunnel junction construction undesirably reduces tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of the magnetic tunnel junction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a substrate fragment in process in the fabrication of a magnetic tunnel junction in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the FIG. 1 substrate fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the FIG. 2 substrate fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of the FIG. 3 substrate fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 3, and in one embodiment is a view of a magnetic tunnel junction in accordance with an embodiment of the invention independent of method of manufacture.

FIG. 5 is a view of the FIG. 4 substrate fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example methods of forming a magnetic tunnel junction in accordance with some embodiments of the invention are initially described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 with respect to a substrate fragment 10, and which may comprise a semiconductor substrate. In the context of this document, the term “semiconductor substrate” or “semiconductive substrate” is defined to mean any construction comprising semiconductive material, including, but not limited to, bulk semiconductive materials such as a semiconductive wafer (either alone or in assemblies comprising other materials thereon), and semiconductive material layers (either alone or in assemblies comprising other materials). The term “substrate” refers to any supporting structure, including, but not limited to, the semiconductive substrates described above. Referring to FIG. 1, substrate fragment 10 comprises a base or substrate 11 showing various materials having been formed as an elevational stack there-over. Materials may be aside, elevationally inward, or elevationally outward of the FIG. 1-depicted materials. For example, other partially or wholly fabricated components of integrated circuitry may be provided somewhere about or within fragment 10. Substrate 11 may comprise any one or more of conductive (i.e., electrically herein), semiconductive, or insulative/insulator (i.e., electrically herein) materials. Regardless, any of the materials, regions, and structures described herein may be homogenous or non-homogenous, and regardless may be continuous or discontinuous over any material which such overlie. Further, unless otherwise stated, each material may be formed using any suitable or yet-to-be-developed technique, with atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, epitaxial growth, diffusion doping, and ion implanting being examples.

First magnetic (i.e., ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic herein) electrode material 12 (i.e., electrically conductive) is formed over substrate 11. In one embodiment, magnetic electrode material 12 comprises Co and Fe (e.g., an alloy comprising Co and Fe). In one embodiment, magnetic electrode material 12 is amorphous, and in one embodiment comprises B. Any suitable compositions may be used, with Co₄₀Fe₄₀B₂₀ being an example that includes B. Characterization of a material or region as being “amorphous” where used in this document requires at least 90% by volume of the stated material or region to be amorphous. Further, reference to “magnetic” herein does not require a stated magnetic material or region to be magnetic as initially formed, but does require some portion of the stated magnetic material or region to functionally be “magnetic” in a finished circuit construction of the magnetic tunnel junction. First electrode material 12 may contain non-magnetic insulator, semiconductive, and/or conductive material or regions. However, first material 12 is characterized as being overall and collectively magnetic and conductive even though it may have one or more regions therein that are intrinsically locally non-magnetic and/or non-conductive. First electrode material 12 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of Co, Fe, and B.

An example thickness for first electrode material 12 is about 10 Angstroms to about 500 Angstroms. In this document, “thickness” by itself (no preceding directional adjective) is defined as the mean straight-line distance through a given material or region perpendicularly from a closest surface of an immediately adjacent material of different composition or of an immediately adjacent region. Additionally, the various materials and regions described herein may be of substantially constant thickness or of variable thicknesses. If of variable thickness, thickness refers to average thickness unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, “different composition” only requires those portions of two stated materials that may be directly against one another to be chemically and/or physically different, for example if such materials are not homogenous. If the two stated materials or regions are not directly against one another, “different composition” only requires that those portions of the two stated materials or regions that are closest to one another be chemically and/or physically different if such materials or regions are not homogenous. In this document, a material, region, or structure is “directly against” another when there is at least some physical touching contact of the stated materials, regions, or structures relative one another. In contrast, “over”, “on”, and “against” not preceded by “directly” encompass “directly against” as well as construction where intervening material(s), region(s), or structure(s) result(s) in no physical touching contact of the stated materials, regions, or structures relative one another.

Non-magnetic tunnel insulator 14 comprising MgO is formed over first material 12. Tunnel insulator 14 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of MgO. An example thickness is about 50 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms. In one embodiment, MgO of tunnel insulator material 14, Co, Fe, and B (of first material 12) are directly against one another.

Second magnetic electrode material 16 is formed over tunnel insulator material 14. Any aspect(s) or attribute(s) described above for first material 12 may apply with respect to second material 16. In one embodiment, at least one of first material 12 and second material 16 comprises Co, Fe, and B. In one embodiment, a stack 20 is formed that comprises amorphous first magnetic electrode material 12, non-magnetic tunnel insulator material 14 comprising MgO over first material 12, and amorphous second magnetic electrode material 16 over tunnel insulator material 14, and wherein at least one of first material 12 and second material 16 comprises Co, Fe, and B. The elevational positions of materials 12 and 16 may be reversed and/or an orientation other than an elevational stack may be used (e.g., lateral; diagonal; a combination of one or more of elevational, horizontal, diagonal; etc.). In this document, “elevational”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, and “bottom” are with reference to the vertical direction. “Horizontal” refers to a general direction along a primary surface relative to which the substrate is processed during fabrication, and vertical is a direction generally orthogonal thereto. Further, “vertical” and “horizontal” as used herein are generally perpendicular directions relative one another and independent of orientation of the substrate in three-dimensional space.

In one embodiment where each of materials 12 and 16 are amorphous, such materials are crystallized into crystalline first magnetic electrode material 12 and crystalline second magnetic electrode material 16. Annealing substrate fragment 10 at about 350° C. in an inert atmosphere is an example technique for causing such crystallizing. Characterization of a material or region as being “crystalline” where used in this document requires at least 90% by volume of the stated material or region to be crystalline. Tunnel insulator material 14 ideally is also crystalline either initially as-formed or becomes so while crystallizing an amorphous first magnetic electrode material 12 and/or an amorphous second magnetic electrode material 16. One of crystalline first material 12 and crystalline second material 16 comprises magnetic reference material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. The other of crystalline first material 12 and crystalline second material 16 comprises magnetic recording material of a magnetic tunnel junction being formed.

Referring to FIG. 2, and in one embodiment, crystalline first material 12, tunnel insulator material 14, and crystalline second material 16 are patterned to form a magnetic tunnel junction structure or construction 25 having opposing sidewalls 28 and 30 that individually comprise crystalline first material 12, tunnel insulator material 14, and crystalline second material 16. Any existing or yet-to-be developed patterning technique(s) may be used. An example technique includes photolithographic masking and etch (e.g., with or without pitch multiplication). The above-described processing and patterning processes stack 20 to form opposing sidewalls 28 and 30 after the act of crystallizing materials 12, 14, and/or 16. Alternately, such or other patterning when used may be conducted to form sidewalls 28 and 30 before the act of crystallizing materials 12, 14, and/or 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, and in one embodiment, a B-absorbing material is formed over sidewalls 28, 30 of each of crystalline first electrode material 12, tunnel insulator material 14, and crystalline second magnetic electrode material 16. In one embodiment and as shown, all of each of sidewalls 28 and 30 is covered with B-absorbing material 40. An example technique of forming B-absorbing material is by a conformal deposition of material 40 followed by anisotropic etch thereof to largely remove material 40 from horizontal surfaces. In one embodiment, B-absorbing material 40 is formed to have a minimum lateral thickness of about 10 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms, and in one embodiment a minimum lateral thickness of no more than about 100 Angstroms.

Referring to FIG. 4, B is absorbed from the at least one of crystalline first material 12 or crystalline second material 16 that comprises Co, Fe, and B laterally into B-absorbing material 40 that is over sidewall 28 and over sidewall 30. A B-absorbing material is a material having a composition that has an affinity for B, thus an affinity to absorb B there-into. The absorbing of B may occur predominantly (i.e., more than 50% herein) during the forming of B-absorbing material 40 or predominantly thereafter. Regardless, in one embodiment, B-absorbing material 40 is annealed at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 450° C., for example which may facilitate the absorbing of B. Regardless, in one embodiment, at least some of the absorbed B chemically reacts with the B-absorbing material to form a reaction product comprising B. Alternately or additionally, none or some of the absorbed B may not so react.

In one embodiment, crystallization and B-absorption occurs after sidewalls of the stack are formed (e.g., after patterning the stack). In such embodiment, the B-absorbing material is formed over the opposing sidewalls of each of the amorphous first magnetic electrode material, the tunnel insulator material, and the amorphous second magnetic electrode material prior to crystallizing the amorphous first and second magnetic electrode materials into crystalline first and second magnetic electrode materials, with the act of crystallizing also absorbing B from the at least one of the first and second materials comprising Co, Fe, and B laterally into the B-absorbing material that is over the opposing sidewalls.

In one embodiment, the B-absorbing material is conductive at least after the absorbing, and in one embodiment before and after the absorbing. Example conductive B-absorbing materials comprise elemental-form metals or an alloy of two or more metal elements. Example metal elements comprise Al, Ta, and W. Such may react with absorbed B to form one or more conductive aluminum borides, tantalum borides, or tungsten borides, respectively.

In one embodiment, the B-absorbing material is semiconductive at least after the absorbing, and in one embodiment before and after the absorbing. An example semiconductive B-absorbing material is AlN. By way of example, absorbed B in such material may form material 40 to comprise a semiconductive mixture of aluminum nitride and aluminum boride.

In one embodiment, the B-absorbing material is insulative at least after the absorbing of B, and in one embodiment before and after the absorbing of B. Example insulative B-absorbing materials comprise Al₂O₃, a combination of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, and a combination of Si₃N₄ and AlN (with sufficient Si₃N₄ in the composition to render it insulative as opposed to semiconductive due to presence of AlN).

In one embodiment, after absorbing the B, any remnant of the B-absorbing material, any remnant of any reaction product of B with the B-absorbing material, and the absorbed B are removed. This may be desirable, for example, where the B-absorbing material is conductive or semiconductive (at least after the absorbing) to preclude electrode materials 12 and 16 from being electrically shorted together in the finished circuitry construction. FIG. 5 by way of example shows such subsequent processing whereby B-absorbing material 40 (not shown) from FIG. 4 has been removed from the substrate (e.g., by selective etching). In one embodiment, for example where the B-absorbing material is insulative at least after the act of absorbing, the B-absorbing material, any remnant of any reaction product of B with the B-absorbing material, and the absorbed B are incorporated into a finished circuit construction encompassing the magnetic tunnel junction being formed.

In one embodiment, tunnel insulator 14 and magnetic electrode materials 12 and/or 16 from which the B was absorbed are devoid of B after the absorbing of B. In this document, “devoid of B” means 0 atomic % B to no more than 0.1 atomic % B.

An embodiment of the invention encompasses a method used while forming a magnetic tunnel junction. Such a method includes forming non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO over magnetic electrode material (regardless of whether crystalline or amorphous) comprising Co and Fe (regardless of whether magnetic electrode material of more than one magnetic electrode of a magnetic tunnel junction is formed). B is proximate (i.e., within 100 Angstroms herein) opposing facing surfaces of the tunnel insulator material and the magnetic electrode material (i.e., regardless of whether B is in the magnetic electrode material and regardless of whether MgO, Co, Fe, and B are directly against one another). For example and by way of example only, FIGS. 1 and 2 show B being proximate opposing surfaces 50 and 70 of tunnel insulator material 14 and magnetic electrode material 12, respectively, a result of B being within or part of material 12. Alternately or additionally, by way of example, B may be within MgO regardless of whether B is within magnetic electrode material 12 and/or 16. Additionally, by way of example, some other B-containing material having minimum thickness no greater than 100 Angstroms (not specifically shown or designated) may be between magnetic electrode material 12 or 16 and tunnel dielectric 14, with such B therein thereby being proximate opposing facing surfaces of the tunnel insulator material and the magnetic electrode material. Regardless, B-absorbing material is formed over a sidewall (e.g., one or both of sidewalls 28, 30) of at least one of the magnetic electrode material and the tunnel insulator material. B that is proximate opposing surfaces 50, 70 is absorbed laterally into the B-absorbing material. Any other attribute(s) or aspect(s) as described above and/or shown in the Figures may be used.

Embodiments of the invention encompass a magnetic tunnel junction (i.e., a structure) independent of method of manufacture. Such a magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material and a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material. A non-magnetic tunnel insulator material is between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the magnetic recording material and the magnetic reference material comprises Co and Fe. The tunnel insulator material comprises MgO. The first magnetic electrode, the second magnetic electrode, and the tunnel insulator material comprise a stack having opposing sidewalls. Insulative material is laterally proximate, in one embodiment directly against, the opposing stack sidewalls. The insulative material comprises B, at least one of Si and Al, and at least one of N and O.

In one embodiment, the insulative material comprises Al and in one embodiment comprises N. In one embodiment, the insulative material comprises Al and N. In one embodiment, the insulative material comprises O and in one embodiment comprises Al and O. In one embodiment, B is present in the insulative material at a concentration of at least about 10 atomic percent and in one embodiment at least about 20 atomic percent. Any other attribute(s) or aspect(s) as described above and/or shown in the Figures may be used in magnetic tunnel junction device embodiments.

The example embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 depict single magnetic tunnel junctions (SMTJs). However, dual magnetic tunnel junctions (DMTJs) or more than dual (two) magnetic tunnel junctions are contemplated.

CONCLUSION

In some embodiments, a method used while forming a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming non-magnetic tunnel insulator material over magnetic electrode material. The tunnel insulator material comprises MgO and the magnetic electrode material comprises Co and Fe. B is proximate opposing facing surfaces of the tunnel insulator material and the magnetic electrode material. B-absorbing material is formed over a sidewall of at least one of the magnetic electrode material and the tunnel insulator material. B is absorbed from proximate the opposing facing surfaces laterally into the B-absorbing material.

In some embodiments, a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming a stack comprising amorphous first magnetic electrode material, non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO over the first material, and amorphous second magnetic electrode material over the tunnel insulator material. At least one of the first and second materials comprises Co, Fe, and B. The amorphous first and second magnetic electrode materials are crystallized into crystalline first and second magnetic electrode materials. One of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic reference material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. The other of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic recording material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. After the crystallizing, B-absorbing material is formed over opposing sidewalls of each of the crystalline first magnetic electrode material, the tunnel insulator material, and the second magnetic electrode material. B is absorbed from said at least one of the crystalline first and second materials comprising Co, Fe, and B laterally into the B-absorbing material that is over said opposing sidewalls.

In some embodiments, a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming amorphous first magnetic electrode material over a substrate. The first material comprises Co, Fe, and B. Non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO is formed over the first material. Amorphous second magnetic electrode material is formed over the tunnel insulator material, and comprises Co, Fe, and B. After forming the amorphous first and second magnetic electrode materials and the tunnel insulator material over the substrate, the amorphous first and second magnetic electrode materials are crystallized into crystalline first and second magnetic electrode materials. After the crystallizing, the crystalline first material, the tunnel insulator material, and the crystalline second material are patterned to form a magnetic tunnel junction structure having opposing sidewalls that individually comprise the crystalline first material, the tunnel insulator material, and the crystalline second material. One of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic reference material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. The other of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic recording material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. All of said opposing sidewalls are covered with B-absorbing material. B is absorbed from the first and second materials laterally into the B-absorbing material that covers all of said opposing sidewalls. At least some of the absorbed B is reacted with the B-absorbing material to form a reaction product comprising B.

In some embodiments, a magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material and a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material. A non-magnetic tunnel insulator material is between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the magnetic recording material and the magnetic reference material comprises Co and Fe. The tunnel insulator material comprises MgO. The first magnetic electrode, the second magnetic electrode, and the tunnel insulator material comprise a stack having opposing sidewalls. Insulative material is laterally proximate the opposing stack sidewalls. Such insulative material comprises B, at least one of Si and Al, and at least one of N and O.

In some embodiments, a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming a stack comprising amorphous first magnetic electrode material, non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO over the first material, and amorphous second magnetic electrode material over the tunnel insulator material. At least one of the first and second materials comprises Co, Fe, and B. B-absorbing material is formed over opposing sidewalls of each of the amorphous first magnetic electrode material, the tunnel insulator material, and the amorphous second magnetic electrode material. The amorphous first and second magnetic electrode materials are crystallized into crystalline first and second magnetic electrode materials. One of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic reference material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. The other of the crystalline first material and the crystalline second material comprises magnetic recording material of the magnetic tunnel junction being formed. The act of crystallizing also absorbs B from said at least one of the first and second materials comprising Co, Fe, and B laterally into the B-absorbing material that is over said opposing sidewalls.

In compliance with the statute, the subject matter disclosed herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise example embodiments. The claims are thus to be afforded full scope as literally worded, and to be appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A magnetic tunnel junction, comprising: a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material; a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material; a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes; at least one of the magnetic recording material and the magnetic reference material comprising Co and Fe; the tunnel insulator material comprising MgO; the first magnetic electrode, the second magnetic electrode, and the tunnel insulator material comprising a stack having opposing sidewalls; and insulative material laterally proximate the opposing stack sidewalls, the insulative material comprising B, at least one of Si and Al, and at least one of N and O.
 34. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 33 wherein the insulative material comprises Al.
 35. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 33 wherein the insulative material comprises Si.
 36. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 33 wherein the insulative material comprises N.
 37. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 36 wherein the insulative material comprises Al.
 38. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 33 wherein the insulative material comprises O.
 39. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 38 wherein the insulative material comprises Al.
 40. The method of claim 33 wherein B is present in the insulative material at a concentration of at least about 10 atomic percent.
 41. The method of claim 33 wherein B is present in the insulative material at a concentration of at least about 20 atomic percent. 